Combination pump assembly and method of use

ABSTRACT

A combination pump assembly for circulation of a coolant and for providing suction includes a shaft and a coolant pump portion with a coolant pump housing that defines at least a portion of a coolant flow path. The coolant pump portion also includes a coolant pump member that is rotatably disposed within the coolant pump housing. The coolant pump member is operably coupled to the shaft to be driven by the shaft to pump the coolant through the coolant flow path. Furthermore, the pump assembly includes a vacuum pump portion with a vacuum pump housing that defines at least a portion of a suction path. The vacuum pump portion also includes a vacuum pump member that is rotatably disposed within the vacuum pump housing. The vacuum pump member is operably coupled to the shaft to be driven by the shaft to provide suction through the suction path.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a pump assembly and, more particularly, relates to a combination pump assembly that includes a vacuum pump and a coolant pump.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as cars, trucks, vans, etc. often include a vacuum pump for providing suction to other systems. For instance, power brake systems often include a brake booster, and the vacuum pump provides suction to the brake booster such that the brake booster can operatively assist the driver in applying braking force to the vehicle.

Also, vehicles often include a coolant system, which includes a radiator, a water pump, and plumbing that fluidly and operatively connects the radiator and water pump. The plumbing includes sections that extend through the engine block. The water pump pumps coolant cyclically through the engine, radiator, and back to the water pump. Accordingly, heat moves from the engine block into the coolant, the heat can be removed from the system via the radiator, and this cooling cycle can repeat continuously during flow of the coolant.

SUMMARY

A combination pump assembly for circulation of a coolant and for providing suction is disclosed. The combination pump assembly includes a shaft that is rotatable and a coolant pump portion with a coolant pump housing that defines at least a portion of a coolant flow path. The coolant pump portion also includes a coolant pump member that is rotatably disposed within the coolant pump housing. The coolant pump member is operably coupled to the shaft to be driven in rotation by the shaft to pump the coolant through the coolant flow path. Furthermore, the pump assembly includes a vacuum pump portion with a vacuum pump housing that defines at least a portion of a suction path. The vacuum pump portion also includes a vacuum pump member that is rotatably disposed within the vacuum pump housing. The vacuum pump member is operably coupled to the shaft to be driven in rotation by the shaft to provide suction through the suction path.

Additionally, a method of simultaneously pumping a coolant through a coolant flow path and providing suction through a suction path is disclosed. The method includes providing a shaft. The method also includes providing a coolant pump portion with a coolant pump housing that defines at least a portion of the coolant flow path. The coolant pump portion also includes a coolant pump member that is rotatably disposed within the coolant pump housing. The coolant pump member is operably coupled to the shaft. Furthermore, the method includes providing a vacuum pump portion with a vacuum pump housing that defines at least a portion of a suction path. The vacuum pump portion also includes a vacuum pump member that is rotatably disposed within the vacuum pump housing. The vacuum pump member is operably coupled to the shaft. Additionally, the method includes drivingly rotating the shaft to simultaneously rotate the coolant pump member and the vacuum pump member to simultaneously pump the coolant through the coolant flow path and provide suction through the suction path.

Further areas of applicability of the teachings of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and the drawings provided hereinafter, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the several views of the drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description, including disclosed embodiments and drawings referenced therein, are merely exemplary in nature intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its application or uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination pump assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the combination pump assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exhaust path taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a lubricant inlet path taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end view of an interior of a vacuum pump portion of the combination pump assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a suction path of the combination pump assembly shown with portions removed; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exhaust flow path of the combination pump assembly shown with portions removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a combination pump assembly 10 is illustrated according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, the pump assembly 10 can include a coolant pump portion 14 and a vacuum pump portion 16, which are operably coupled together in a manner to be discussed. Also, the pump assembly 10 can include a common shaft 18 with a first end 17 and a second end 19 (FIGS. 2 and 3). A pulley 20 can be mounted to the first end 17 of the shaft 18. Moreover, the coolant pump portion 14 can be operably mounted to the second end 19 of the shaft 18 to be drivingly rotated by the shaft 18. Additionally, the vacuum pump portion 16 can be operably mounted to the shaft 18 to be drivingly rotated by the shaft 18.

The pump assembly 10 can be incorporated within a vehicle, such as a car, truck, van, etc. to pump various fluids for operation of systems within the vehicle. Specifically, a belt (not shown) or other coupling can rotatably couple a crankshaft (not shown) of an engine 12 to the pulley 20 such that the crankshaft drives the pulley 20 and, thus, the shaft 18 in rotation. Rotation of the shaft 18 can rotatably drive the coolant pump portion 14 and the vacuum pump portion 16 for simultaneous operation thereof. As a result, the coolant pump portion 14 can pump a coolant (e.g., antifreeze, etc.) through a coolant flow path 26 (FIG. 4) between the engine 12, a radiator 32, and/or a heater core 33 to thereby cool the engine 12, etc. At the same time, the vacuum pump portion 16 can provide suction to another system (i.e., a vacuum-consuming system) of the vehicle via a suction flow path 50 (FIG. 7). For instance, in some embodiments, the vacuum pump portion 16 can provide suction to a brake booster 55 (FIG. 1) for operation of a power brake system (brake-assist system) of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the coolant flow path 26 can be fluidly disconnected from the suction flow path 50.

Accordingly, as will be discussed, the pump assembly 10 can be very compact and efficient. Thus, the pump assembly 10 is unlikely to interfere with surrounding structures and systems.

It will be appreciated that the pump assembly 10 can be incorporated in a machine other than a vehicle and/or vehicle engine 12. Also, the pump assembly 10 can be operably coupled to any type of engine 12, such as an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel). Furthermore, the vacuum pump portion 16 can provide suction to the brake booster 55, or another type of vacuum-consuming system (e.g., a waste gate for a turbo system, etc.). Likewise, the pump portion 14 can pump any fluid in any type of fluid system other than a coolant cycle and/or the shaft 18 can be used to driving rotate any additional components (e.g., an alternator, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the coolant pump portion 14 will be discussed in detail. As shown, the coolant pump portion 14 can include a coolant pump housing 22. The coolant pump housing 22 can be generally L-shaped and can be made out of metal. The coolant pump housing 22 can include a mounting portion 24 for mounting directly to the engine 12 (e.g., via bolts or other fasteners). The coolant pump housing 22 can further include a bore 25 extending therethrough. A bearing 27, which is mounted on the shaft 18, can be received in the bore 25 and can operably attach to an inner diameter surface 29 of the bore 25 to support the shaft 18 and to allow the shaft 18 to rotate relative to the coolant pump housing 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the coolant pump housing 22 can also at least partially define the coolant flow path 26. More specifically, the coolant flow path 26 can include one or more inlets 28 a, 28 b. The inlet 28 a can be fluidly connected to the radiator 32, and the inlet 28 b can be fluidly connected to the heater core 33. The coolant flow path 26 can continue through the coolant pump housing 22 and can include a chamber 31 (FIGS. 2 and 4) in which a coolant pumping member 34 is disposed. In the embodiments illustrated, the chamber 31 is defined cooperatively by a recess in the coolant pump housing 22 and an outer surface of the engine 12, and the coolant pumping member 34 is housed between the coolant pump housing 22 and the engine 12 within the chamber 31. In some embodiments, the coolant pumping member 34 can be a propeller 36 that is fixed for rotation on the second end 19 of the shaft 18. Thus, rotation of the shaft 18 can drivingly rotate the propeller 36 to suck coolant through the inlet(s) 28 a, 28 b into the chamber 31 and propel the coolant out of an outlet 30 to flow into the engine 12. The coolant can then flow through the engine to cool the engine block, the combustion chambers, and/or the cylinder head of the engine 12. Subsequently, the coolant can flow from the engine 12 and through the radiator 32 and/or heater core 33 for heat exchange with ambient air, and the coolant can then return back to the coolant pump portion 14 of the pump assembly 10 for additional pumping. It will be appreciated that one or more thermostats (not shown) can be included for regulating flow through these components.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1-6, the vacuum pump portion 16 of the pump assembly 10 will be discussed in detail. The vacuum pump portion 16 can include a vacuum pump housing 38 that houses a vacuum pump member 39 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The vacuum pump member 39 can be mounted on the shaft 18 for rotation therewith relative to the vacuum pump housing 38.

The vacuum pump housing 38 can include a first housing member 40 and a second housing member 42 that attach together to cooperatively enclose the vacuum pump member 39. The first housing member 40 can be cup-shaped. Also, the first housing member 40 can include an inner diameter surface 41. Still further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first housing member 40 can include one or more projections 43 that project radially from an outer radial edge thereof. Additionally, the second housing member 42 can be relatively flat with a mounting portion 45 (FIG. 3) along its outer radial edge. To assemble the housing 38, fasteners (e.g., bolts, etc.) can extend through the projections 43 in the first housing member 40 and can fasten to the second housing member 42. Also, fasteners (e.g., bolts, etc.) can extend through the mounting portion 45 of the second housing member 42 to attach to the exterior of the coolant pump housing 22. A seal 53 (FIG. 3), such as an O-ring, can be included for sealing the second housing member 42 to the coolant pump housing 22. The shaft 18 can extend through respective holes in the first and second housing members 40, 42 such that the shaft 18 can rotate relative to the vacuum pump housing 38.

Also, as mentioned above, the coolant pump housing 22 can be fixed directly to the engine 12, and as stated, the vacuum pump housing 38 can be fixed directly to the coolant pump housing 22. As such, the coolant pump housing 22 can be disposed between the engine 12 and the vacuum pump housing 38, and the vacuum pump housing 38 can be only indirectly mounted to the engine 12 via the coolant pump housing 22.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the vacuum pump member 39 can include various features of a known, commercially available vane pump. Thus, the vacuum pump member 39 can include a rotor 44 and one or more vanes 46. The vacuum pump member 39 can also include a seal 51 (FIG. 3), such as an O-ring that is disposed between the rotor 44 and the first housing member 40.

The rotor 44 can be annular-shaped with a bore 48 extending therethrough. The shaft 18 can be received within the bore 48, and the rotor 44 can be fixed to the shaft 18 for rotation therewith. Additionally, the vanes 46 can be spaced about the circumference of the rotor 44, and the vanes 46 can move radially relative to the rotor 44 (i.e., can radially extend and radially retract relative to the rotor 44) as shown in FIG. 6.

More specifically as shown in FIG. 6, the rotor 44 can be eccentrically mounted within the vacuum pump housing 38 (i.e., the axis of rotation of the rotor 44 can be offset relative to the axis of the housing 38). As such, a crescent-shaped pump chamber 57 can be defined between the rotor 44 and the inner diameter surface 41 of the first housing member 40. The vanes 46 can extend radially outward from the rotor 44 to contact and seal against the inner diameter surface 41 of the first housing member 40. As the rotor 44 rotates with the shaft 18, the vanes 46 can cyclically radially project and radially retract relative to the rotor 44. This action can cause a low pressure area (i.e., a suction area 47) and a high pressure area (i.e., an exhaust area 49) to be defined at opposite circumferential ends of the pump chamber 57.

As stated above, the suction flow path 50 can be in fluid communication with the brake booster 55 (FIG. 1) or another device that relies on suction for operation. The suction flow path 50 can be a fluid channel defined between the brake booster 55 and the suction area 47 of the pump chamber 57. FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrate embodiments of the suction flow path 50. As shown, the suction flow path 50 can include a first vacuum inlet portion 52 that is defined by bores that extend through the coolant pump housing 22. Also, the first vacuum inlet portion 52 can be defined through a nipple 54 that projects from the coolant pump housing 22. The brake booster 55 can be fluidly connected (e.g., by a hose or other conduit) to the first vacuum inlet portion 52 via the nipple 54. The suction flow path 50 can also include a second vacuum inlet portion 56 that is defined by bores that extend through the vacuum pump housing 38. The second vacuum inlet portion 56 can be fluidly connected at one end to the first vacuum inlet portion 52 and at the opposite end to the suction area 47 of the pump chamber 57.

Also, a check valve 58 can be operably disposed within the suction flow path 50. As shown, the check valve 58 can be disposed at the intersection of the first and second vacuum inlet portions 52, 56. Thus, the check valve 58 can allow fluid flow in only one direction through the suction flow path 50 (i.e., toward the vacuum pump member 39).

Accordingly, as the rotor 44 rotates and the vanes 46 actuate, a fluid (e.g., air) can be sucked from the brake booster 55, into the first vacuum inlet portion 52, and through the second vacuum inlet portion 56 to the suction area 47 of the pump chamber 57. As such, the vacuum pump member 39 can supply a vacuum to the brake booster 55, and the brake booster 55 can provide braking assistance in the associated power brake system.

As shown in FIG. 5, a lubricant inlet path 60 can also be defined in the pump assembly 10 to provide a lubricant to the vacuum pump member 39. In the embodiments illustrated, the lubricant inlet path 60 includes a first lubricant inlet portion 62 that is defined by bores that extend through the coolant pump housing 22. The lubricant inlet path 60 can also include a second lubricant inlet portion 64 that is defined by bores that extend through the vacuum pump housing 38. The first lubricant inlet portion 62 can be in fluid communication with a lubricant chamber 63 within the engine 12 at one end, and the first lubricant inlet portion 62 can be in fluid communication with the second lubricant inlet portion 64 at an opposite end. Also, the second lubricant inlet portion 64 can be in fluid communication with oil feed holes 65 (FIG. 6) formed within the rotor 44. Thus, lubricant can move from the lubricant chamber 63, through the first lubricant inlet portion 62, through the second lubricant inlet portion 64, and into the pump chamber 57 via the oil feed holes 65 during operation of the vacuum pump member 39.

Still further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, a vacuum exhaust path 66 can be defined in the pump assembly 10 for exhausting a combination of the fluid (e.g., air) sucked through the suction flow path 50 and the lubricant (e.g., oil) sucked through the lubricant inlet path 60. The vacuum exhaust path 66 can include a first exhaust portion 68 that is defined by bores extending through the vacuum pump housing 38. The vacuum exhaust path 66 can also include a second exhaust portion 70 that is defined by bores extending through the coolant pump housing 22. The first exhaust portion 68 can be fluidly coupled at one end to the exhaust area 49 of the pump chamber 57 (FIG. 6) and at an opposite end to the second exhaust portion 70. The second exhaust portion 70 can be fluidly coupled at the opposite end to the lubricant chamber 63 within the engine 12. Accordingly, air that is sucked into the vacuum pump chamber 57 via the suction flow path 50 can mix with the lubricant that is sucked into the vacuum pump chamber 57 via the lubricant inlet path 60, and this air/lubricant mixture can be exhausted back to the lubricant chamber 63 within the engine via the vacuum exhaust path 66 as the vacuum pump member 39 operates.

Accordingly, when the engine 12 is running, the crankshaft (not shown) can drive a belt (not shown) that drivingly rotates the pulley 20 to drivingly rotate the shaft 18. The shaft 18, thus, rotates the rotor 44 of the vacuum pump member 39 to provide suction to the brake booster 55, to suck lubricant into the vacuum pump member 39, and to exhaust the air/lubricant mixture from the vacuum pump portion 16. At the same time, the rotation of the shaft 18 can drivingly rotate the propeller 36 of the coolant pump portion 14 to pump coolant through the coolant flow path 26.

The vacuum pump portion 16 and the coolant pump portion 14 can be joined and integrated such that the assembly 10 is very compact. Also, the shaft 18 and pulley 20 can be common to both the vacuum pump portion 16 and the coolant pump portion 14 for driving both. Thus, the assembly 10 can operate very efficiently. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination pump assembly for circulation of a coolant and for providing suction, the combination pump assembly comprising: a shaft that is rotatable; a coolant pump portion with a coolant pump housing that defines at least a portion of a coolant flow path, the coolant pump portion also including a coolant pump member that is rotatably disposed within the coolant pump housing, the coolant pump member operably coupled to the shaft to be driven in rotation by the shaft to pump the coolant through the coolant flow path; and a vacuum pump portion with a vacuum pump housing that defines at least a portion of a suction path, the vacuum pump portion also including a vacuum pump member that is rotatably disposed within the vacuum pump housing, the vacuum pump member operably coupled to the shaft to be driven in rotation by the shaft to provide suction through the suction path.
 2. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump member includes a rotor and a plurality of vanes, the rotor operable to be rotatably driven by the shaft to radially extend and radially retract the vanes relative to the rotor to provide suction through the suction path.
 3. The combination pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the rotor is eccentrically mounted within the vacuum pump housing, the vacuum pump housing including an interior surface, the plurality of vanes operable to radially extend and radially retract relative to the interior surface to provide suction through the suction path.
 4. The combination pump assembly of claim 3, wherein the vacuum pump housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member that cooperate to enclose the rotor, at least one of the first housing member and the second housing member including the interior surface.
 5. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the coolant pump member includes a propeller that is operably mounted on the shaft.
 6. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the coolant flow path and the suction path are fluidly disconnected from each other.
 7. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the coolant pump housing is operable to mount to an engine and the vacuum pump housing is operable to mount to the coolant pump housing such that the vacuum pump housing is mounted to the engine only indirectly via the coolant pump housing.
 8. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the suction path includes a first vacuum inlet portion that is defined through the coolant pump housing and a second vacuum inlet portion that is defined through the vacuum pump housing, the vacuum pump member operable to suck a fluid through the first vacuum inlet portion, through the second vacuum inlet portion, and into the vacuum pump housing.
 9. The combination pump assembly of claim 8, further comprising a lubricant inlet path with a first lubricant inlet portion that is defined through the coolant pump housing and a second lubricant inlet portion that is defined through the vacuum pump housing, the vacuum pump member operable to receive a lubricant through the first lubricant inlet portion, through the second lubricant inlet portion, and into the vacuum pump housing.
 10. The combination pump assembly of claim 9, further comprising a vacuum exhaust path with a first exhaust portion that is defined through the vacuum pump housing and a second exhaust portion that is defined through the coolant pump housing, the vacuum pump member operable to pump a combination of the fluid and the lubricant out of the vacuum pump housing through the first exhaust portion and through the second exhaust portion.
 11. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, further comprising a check valve that is operably disposed within the suction path.
 12. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the suction path is fluidly coupled to a brake booster assembly of a power brake system, the vacuum pump member operable to provide suction to the brake booster for operation of the power brake system.
 13. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pulley that is operably connected to the shaft.
 14. The combination pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the coolant pump member is operable to pump the coolant through the coolant flow path to cool an engine of a vehicle.
 15. A method of simultaneously pumping a coolant through a coolant flow path and providing suction through a suction path comprising: providing a shaft; providing a coolant pump portion with a coolant pump housing that defines at least a portion of the coolant flow path, the coolant pump portion also including a coolant pump member that is rotatably disposed within the coolant pump housing, the coolant pump member operably coupled to the shaft; providing a vacuum pump portion with a vacuum pump housing that defines at least a portion of a suction path, the vacuum pump portion also including a vacuum pump member that is rotatably disposed within the vacuum pump housing, the vacuum pump member operably coupled to the shaft; and drivingly rotating the shaft to simultaneously rotate the coolant pump member and the vacuum pump member to simultaneously pump the coolant through the coolant flow path and provide suction through the suction path.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein drivingly rotating the shaft includes providing suction to a brake booster assembly of a power brake system.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein drivingly rotating the shaft includes circulating the coolant through an engine of a vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing suction of a fluid through the suction path, which is defined partially through the coolant pump housing and partially through the vacuum pump housing.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a lubricant to the vacuum pump portion through a lubricant inlet path, which is defined partially through the coolant pump housing and partially through the vacuum pump housing.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising exhausting a combination of the fluid and the lubricant from the vacuum pump portion through a vacuum exhaust path, which is defined partially through the vacuum pump housing and partially through the coolant pump housing. 